Following a sell-out autumn 2015 tour, the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers is set to tour theatres across the UK into 2016. The tour opens in Peterborough on Tuesday 12th January 2016.
No stranger to Blood Brothers, ‘The definitive Mrs Johnstone’ (Manchester Evening News) Lyn Paul makes a welcome return to the iconic role, one she first played in 1997. Lyn last played Mrs Johnstone in the final West End performances at the Phoenix Theatre in 2012. She has starred in the UK tour of Cabaret in 2013 as Fraulein Schneider, in Boy George’s musical Taboo and in Footloose – the Musical.
Lyn rose to fame in the early 1970s as a member of the New Seekers. She was the featured vocalist on their 1972 Eurovision Song Contest entry, ‘Beg, Steal or Borrow’, in which they came second and lead vocalist on the 1974 number-one hit ‘You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me’. Among the group’s other works, they recorded the song ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing’, adapted from an advertising jingle for Coca-Cola, which sold over 20 million copies and still remains one of the 100 best-selling singles in the UK.
Hailed as one of the best musicals of all time, Blood Brothers, written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell has triumphed across the globe. Scooping up no less than four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Blood Brothers is simply unmissable and unbeatable. This epic tale of Liverpool life ran in London’s West End for 24 years and exceeded 10,000 performances. It is one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.
Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet.
It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax. A sensational cast, incredible show stopping music, remarkable staging and five star performances make Blood Brothers an enthralling night of entertainment.
Willy Russell is undeniably one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His countless credits include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two year run in the West End and was made into a movie starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.
Further casting for Blood Brothers is to be announced.
BLOOD BROTHERS – SPRING 2016 TOUR DATES
Tuesday 12th – Saturday 17th January 2016
Box Office: 01733 822225
Peterborough, Broadway Theatre
www.thebroadwaypeterborough.co.uk
Tuesday 19th – Saturday 23rd January 2016
Box Office: 01323 412000
Eastbourne Theatres
www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Monday 25th – Saturday 30th January 2016
Box Office: 0844 871 7651
Richmond Theatre
www.atgtickets.com
Monday 1st – Saturday 6th February 2016
Box Office: 0300 300 0035
Grimsby Auditorium
www.grimbsyauditorium.org.uk
Monday 8th – Saturday 13th February 2016
Box Office: 0844 871 3014
Edinburgh Playhouse
www.atgtickets.com
Monday 15th – Saturday 20th February
Box Office: 0115 989 5555
Nottingham, Theatre Royal
www.trch.co.uk
Monday 22nd – Saturday 27th February 2016
Box Office: 0844 871 7620
Bromley, Churchill Theatre
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-churchill-theatre-bromley/
Tuesday 1st – Saturday 5th March 2016
Box Office: 0844 871 3020
Oxford, New Theatre
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/
Monday 7th – Saturday 12th March 2016
Box Office: 0845 127 2190
Buxton, Opera House
www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
Tuesday 22nd – Saturday 27th March 2016
Box Office: 0844 871 3023
Torquay, Princess Theatre
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay/
Monday 28th March – Saturday 2nd April 2016
Box Office: 0844 848 2700
Leeds Grand Theatre
www.leedsgrandtheatre.com
Tuesday 5th – Saturday 9th April 2016
Box Office: 0844 856 1111
Blackpool, Opera House
www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
Monday 11th – Saturday 16th April 2016
Box Office: 01494 512000
High Wycombe, Swan Theatre
www.wycombeswan.co.uk
Further dates and casting to be announced